System For Air-Based Propellant Gun Adaptation

ABSTRACT

A pneumatic firearm firing system is utilized to discharge a projectile from a firearm utilizing propulsion provided by a pneumatic propellant. A pressurized projectile retainer is utilized to concentrically hold a projectile under pressure due to a quantity of compressed gas provided from a compressed gas vessel. The quantity of compressed gas is held within a fluid conduit that is engaged into the pressurized projectile retainer. The pressurized projectile retainer is engaged into a front end of a firearm bolt. When a trigger of the firearm is pulled, a flexible collared portion of the pressurized projectile retainer is projected forward from a rigid collared portion of the firearm bolt, releasing the projectile from the pressurized projectile retainer and causing the projectile to be propelled forward due to the propulsion provided by the quantity of compressed gas.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patentapplication Ser. No. 62/106,454 filed on Jan. 22, 2015.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system for converting thefiring mechanism of a firearm. More specifically, the present inventionis a pneumatic firearm firing system that enables a projectile to bedischarged from a firearm due to the propulsion provided from apneumatic propellant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Firearms are available in a wide variety of forms as well as mechanismsof operation. Conventional firearms are discharged when the primer on achambered cartridge is struck, chemically producing heat and ignitingthe propellant within the cartridge and firing the projectile portion ofthe cartridge. Firearm owners are typically subject to regulations andrestrictions regarding the types of firearms that may be possessed.Additionally, legislative restrictions significantly affect theavailability and cost of ammunition. As a result, firearm owners areoften forced to procure alternatives that are subject to fewerregulations and restrictions such as, but not limited to, pneumaticfirearms. Pneumatic firearms are discharged utilizing compressed air inlieu of an explosive propellant and serve as a suitable alternative toconventional firearms. However, the use of a pneumatic firearm as analternative to a conventional firearm is not without drawbacks. The mostapparent drawback is in the form of the additional expense incurred by afirearm owner in order to obtain the additional firearm. Storing andtransporting a pneumatic firearm in addition to already-ownedconventional firearms can be a significant inconvenience as well.Finally, some firearm owners may be unhappy with the reduced powerprovided by pneumatic firearms, particularly at long range and otherpertinent situations.

A conventional explosive propellant-based firing mechanism has asignificant drawback in that much of the propellant is wasted during thedischarge of a projectile, resulting in reduced muzzle velocity. Theprojectile immediately begins moving down the firearm barrel after thepropellant is ignited. The movement of the projectile rapidly increasesthe size of the expansion chamber between the projectile and thepropellant, reducing the force of the expanding gases produced by theburning propellant on the projectile. The propellant typically does noteven finish burning until the projectile has already exited the barreland is lost in propulsion, resulting in a muzzle flash from the burningof the excess powder. A similar loss of power occurs in a pneumaticfiring mechanism when gas from a reservoir is released into an expansionchamber where the projectile is located. The gas enters the expansionchamber at a much lower pressure than when the gas was released from thereservoir. The projectile begins moving down the firearm barrel as thegas is released, similarly increasing the expansion chamber and reducingthe force of the gas on the projectile.

The present invention is a pneumatic firearm firing system in which aprojectile is held under pressure prior to being discharged from afirearm. The projectile is held in place with the maximum potentialforce already applied until the firearm trigger is actuated and theprojectile is released. Prior to being discharged, the projectile servesas a sealed pressure gate, eliminating the need for an expansion chamberbetween the projectile and a compressed gas reservoir and allowing theprojectile to be held in place with the air pressure already applied.

The present invention enables the conversion of an explosivepropellant-based firing mechanism to a pneumatic firing mechanism.Implementation of the present invention allows for compliance withfirearm regulations and restrictions that only permit the ownership ofpneumatic firearms. Additionally, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide the means for a firearm to utilize both explosivepropellants as well as pneumatic propellants without significantlyaltering the firearm. As a result, a firearm utilizing the presentinvention may be quickly switched between a conventional explosivepropellant-based firing mechanism and a pneumatic firing mechanism. Thepresent invention may additionally be integrated into a pneumaticfirearm during manufacturing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic overview of the present invention in the primedconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a detail view of the present invention taken from circle A ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the pressurized projectile retainer and theprojectile.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pressurized projectile retainerand the projectile taken along line B-B of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the pressurized projectile retainer and theprojectile taken from circle C of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a detail view of the pressurized projectile retainer and theprojectile taken from circle D of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic overview of the present invention in the firingconfiguration.

FIG. 8 is a detail view of the present invention taken from circle E ofFIG. 7.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a pneumatic firearm firing system. The presentinvention is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and comprises a firearm bolt 1,a pressurized projectile retainer 4, and a fluid conduit 7. The firearmbolt 1 is utilized to block the rear of a cartridge chamber 12 of afirearm 11 and is configured to receive the pressurized projectileretainer 4 and the fluid conduit 7. Within the context of the presentinvention, the firearm bolt 1 does not include a firing pin and thefiring pin is replaced by the pressurized projectile retainer 4 and thefluid conduit 7. The pressurized projectile retainer 4 holds aprojectile 16 under pressure until the projectile 16 is discharged fromthe firearm 11. The fluid conduit 7 is connected to a compressed gasvessel 10 and enables a quantity of compressed gas 22 to be supplied tothe pressurized projectile retainer 4 in order to hold the projectile 16under pressure within the pressurized projectile retainer 4. Thecompressed gas vessel 10 is preferably positioned external to thefirearm 11, allowing the compressed gas vessel 10 to be easily removedfrom the firearm 11.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the pressurizedprojectile retainer 4 is concentrically and slidably engaged into afront end 2 of the firearm bolt 1. This enables the pressurizedprojectile retainer 4 to protrude from the front end 2 upon a trigger 14of the firearm 11 being pulled, causing the firearm 11 to be discharged.When the trigger 14 is pulled, a firing assembly 15 that is positionedwithin the firearm 11 is engaged. The trigger 14 is mechanically coupledto the firearm bolt 1 through the firing assembly 15. The firingassembly 15 thus causes the pressurized projectile retainer 4 to projectfrom the front end 2 when the trigger 14 is pulled. This mechanism issimilar to that of a firing pin that is projected forward in order toignite the primer of a conventional cartridge. In the case of thepresent invention, there is no firing pin present and the pressurizedprojectile retainer 4 is projected forward via the force of a mechanicalspring 23 when the trigger 14 is pulled. This causes the projectile 16to be released from the pressurized projectile retainer 4, dischargingthe projectile 16 from the firearm 11. A first end 8 of the fluidconduit 7 is engaged into the pressurized projectile retainer 4 while asecond end 9 of the fluid conduit 7 is connected to the compressed gasvessel 10. The compressed gas vessel 10 is in fluid communication withthe pressurized projectile retainer 4 through the fluid conduit 7. Thefluid conduit 7 is preferably straight in order to provide a straightflow path for the quantity of compressed gas 22 within the fluid conduit7. The quantity of compressed gas 22 from the compressed gas vessel 10is thus able to be supplied to the pressurized projectile retainer 4through the fluid conduit 7. The second end 9 is preferably aquick-connect coupling to allow the fluid conduit 7 to be easilyattached to and removed from the compressed gas vessel 10.

The firearm bolt 1 is concentrically positioned along a central axis 13of the cartridge chamber 12 and is slidably engaged into the cartridgechamber 12. The firearm bolt 1 is thus able to slide within thecartridge chamber 12 while being cocked. In the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, the pressurized projectile retainer 4 is acollet. The projectile 16 is secured within the pressurized projectileretainer 4 by cocking the firearm bolt 1. When the firearm bolt 1 iscocked, the pressurized projectile retainer 4 is drawn into the frontend 2 and the collet is able to close around the projectile 16, securelyholding the projectile 16 in place.

The firearm bolt 1, the pressurized projectile retainer 4, and theprojectile 16 are shown in a primed configuration in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2while the pressurized projectile retainer 4 and the projectile 16 areshown in greater detail in FIGS. 3-6. In the primed configuration, theprojectile 16 is held under pressure within the pressurized projectileretainer 4. The firearm bolt 1 comprises a rigid collared portion 3while the pressurized projectile retainer 4 comprises a flexiblecollared portion 5. The rigid collared portion 3 prevents the flexiblecollared portion 5 from expanding and as such, the flexible collaredportion 5 is positioned within the rigid collared portion 3 in theprimed configuration. The pressurized projectile retainer 4 additionallycomprises an annular ring 6 that is utilized to secure the projectile 16in place. The projectile 16 comprises an annular groove 18 that is ableto interface with the annular ring 6 to hold the projectile 16 in placewithin the pressurized projectile retainer 4. The projectile 16 furthercomprises a lateral surface 17 and the annular groove 18 traverses intothe projectile 16 from the lateral surface 17. The annular groove 18comprises a trapezoidal cross-section 19. The trapezoidal cross-section19 assists in securing the projectile 16 within the pressurizedprojectile retainer 4. The angled edges of the trapezoidal cross-section19 allow the projectile 16 to be easily freed from the pressurizedprojectile retainer 4 as well when the firearm 11 is discharged. Thetrapezoidal cross-section 19 comprises a first base 20 and a second base21 that are opposing bases of the trapezoidal cross-section 19. Thesecond base 21 is greater in length than the first base 20, forming theangled edges of the trapezoidal cross-section 19 that facilitate thefreeing of the projectile 16 from the pressurized projectile retainer 4when the firearm 11 is discharged. The second base 21 is positionedcoincident to the lateral surface 17. Because the second base 21 isgreater in length than the first base 20, the second base 21 is thuspositioned in a manner such that the angled edges of the trapezoidalcross-section 19 are able to facilitate the release of the projectile 16from the pressurized projectile retainer 4 by sliding.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in the primedconfiguration, the projectile 16 is concentrically and releasablyengaged into the pressurized projectile retainer 4. The projectile 16 isthus securely held in place along the circumference of the projectile 16before being released from the pressurized projectile retainer 4. Theprojectile 16 is held under pressure as a quantity of compressed gas 22is hermetically sealed within the fluid conduit 7 in between the secondend 9 and the projectile 16. This eliminates the need for an expansionchamber and the projectile 16 is held in place with the maximumpotential force already applied. The pressurized projectile retainer 4is concentrically pressed around the projectile 16 and the projectile 16is frictionally held in place within the pressurized projectile retainer4. Additionally, an O-ring seal 24 is present within the pressurizedprojectile retainer 4 in order to prevent leakage of the quantity ofcompressed gas 22. The quantity of compressed gas 22 is thus unable toleak from between the second end 9 and the projectile 16. In this sense,the projectile 16 serves as a pressure gate for the quantity ofcompressed gas 22. The annular ring 6 is positioned within the annulargroove 18 to secure the projectile 16 in place and further preventleaking of the quantity of compressed gas 22.

The firearm bolt 1, the pressurized projectile retainer 4, and theprojectile 16 are shown in a firing configuration in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.The firing configuration is the configuration after the trigger 14 ofthe firearm 11 has been pulled. In the firing configuration, theflexible collared portion 5 is positioned adjacent to the rigid collaredportion 3. Because the flexible collared portion 5 is no longercontained within the rigid collared portion 3, the flexible collaredportion 5 is able to relax from around the projectile 16, allowing theprojectile 16 to be freed from the pressurized projectile retainer 4.The annular ring 6 is positioned adjacent to the annular groove 18 asthe projectile 16 begins to slide out of the pressurized projectileretainer 4.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projectile 16is loaded into the pressurized projectile retainer 4. The firearm bolt 1is then cocked, drawing the flexible collared portion 5 into the rigidcollared portion 3. This causes the pressurized projectile retainer 4 toconcentrically press and close around the projectile 16 with the annularring 6 being positioned within the annular groove 18. The pressurizedprojectile retainer 4 is then pressurized by releasing the quantity ofcompressed gas 22 into the fluid conduit 7. This is generallyaccomplished by opening a valve for the compressed gas vessel 10 inorder to release the quantity of compressed gas 22. After thepressurized projectile retainer 4 is pressurized and the projectile 16is held under pressure, the valve for the compressed gas vessel 10 isclosed. The firearm 11 may then be discharged by pulling the trigger 14.When the trigger 14 is pulled, the pressurized projectile retainer 4 isprojected forward from the front end 2. The flexible collared portion 5moves adjacent to the rigid collared portion 3, allowing the flexiblecollared portion 5 to expand and release the projectile 16. Theprojectile 16 is then propelled forward due to the quantity ofcompressed gas 22 that is held within the fluid conduit 7. The lack ofan expansion chamber for the quantity of compressed gas 22 eliminatesany loss of force exerted on the projectile 16.

The present invention may additionally feature an air pressure amplifierin order to increase the maximum air pressure provided by the compressedgas vessel 10. The ability to adjust the air pressure output of thecompressed gas vessel 10 allows the present invention to be utilizedwith varying sizes and weights of ammunition. The air pressure amplifieris additionally able to ensure consistency in air pressure betweendischarges of the firearm 11. The air pressure amplifier may bepositioned within the firearm 11, externally mounted to the firearm 11,or be positioned completely separate from the firearm 11.

The pressurized projectile retainer 4 may be utilized to hold multipletypes of projectiles. While the pressurized projectile retainer 4 isprimarily intended for use with bullets and similarly shapedprojectiles, the pressurized projectile retainer 4 may additionally beutilized with arrows and similar projectiles.

The present invention may be retrofit into an existing firearm in orderto convert an existing firearm from a conventional explosivepropellant-based firing mechanism to a pneumatic firing mechanism. Inthe case of a retrofit of the present invention, the present inventionenables the ability to quickly convert the existing firearm between theexplosive propellant-based firing mechanism and the pneumatic firingmechanism. Alternatively, the present invention may be integrated into apneumatic firearm during manufacturing.

Although the present invention has been explained in relation to itspreferred embodiment, it is understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pneumatic firearm firing system comprises: afirearm bolt; a pressurized projectile retainer; a fluid conduit,wherein the fluid conduit is connected to a compressed gas vessel; thepressurized projectile retainer being concentrically and slidablyengaged into a front end of the firearm bolt; a first end of the fluidconduit being engaged into the pressurized projectile retainer; a secondend of the fluid conduit being connected to the compressed gas vessel;and the compressed gas vessel being in fluid communication with thepressurized projectile retainer through the fluid conduit.
 2. Thepneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:a firearm; the firearm comprises a cartridge chamber; the firearm boltbeing concentrically positioned along a central axis of the cartridgechamber; and the firearm bolt being slidably engaged into the cartridgechamber.
 3. The pneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 1further comprises: the second end being a quick-connect coupling.
 4. Thepneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 2 further comprises:a trigger; a firing assembly; the firing assembly being positionedwithin the firearm; and the trigger being mechanically coupled to thefirearm bolt through the firing assembly.
 5. The pneumatic firearmfiring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressurized projectileretainer is a collet.
 6. The pneumatic firearm firing system as claimedin claim 2 further comprises: the compressed gas vessel being positionedexternal to the firearm.
 7. The pneumatic firearm firing system asclaimed in claim 1 further comprises: wherein the firearm bolt, thepressurized projectile retainer, and a projectile are in a primedconfiguration; the firearm bolt comprises a rigid collared portion; thepressurized projectile retainer comprises a flexible collared portionand an annular ring; the projectile comprises a lateral surface and anannular groove; the annular groove comprises a trapezoidalcross-section; the annular groove traversing into the projectile fromthe lateral surface; the projectile being concentrically and releasablyengaged into the pressurized projectile retainer; a quantity ofcompressed gas being hermetically sealed within the fluid conduit inbetween the second end and the projectile; the pressurized projectileretainer being concentrically pressed around the projectile, wherein theprojectile is frictionally held in place within the pressurizedprojectile retainer; the flexible collared portion being positionedwithin the rigid collared portion; and the annular ring being positionedwithin the annular groove.
 8. The pneumatic firearm firing system asclaimed in claim 1 further comprises: wherein the firearm bolt, thepressurized projectile retainer, and a projectile are in a firingconfiguration; the firearm bolt comprises a rigid collared portion; thepressurized projectile retainer comprises a flexible collared portionand an annular ring; the projectile comprises a lateral surface and anannular groove; the annular groove comprises a trapezoidalcross-section; the annular groove traversing into the projectile fromthe lateral surface; the flexible collared portion being positionedadjacent to the rigid collared portion; and the annular ring beingpositioned adjacent to the annular groove.
 9. A pneumatic firearm firingsystem comprises: a projectile; the projectile comprises a lateralsurface and an annular groove; a trapezoidal cross-section of theannular groove comprises a first base and a second base; the annulargroove traversing into the projectile from the lateral surface; thesecond base being greater in length than the first base; and the secondbase being positioned coincident to the lateral surface.
 10. Thepneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 9 further comprises:a firearm; a firearm bolt; a pressurized projectile retainer; a fluidconduit, wherein the fluid conduit is connected to a compressed gasvessel; the firearm comprises a cartridge chamber; the pressurizedprojectile retainer being concentrically and slidably engaged into afront end of the firearm bolt; a first end of the fluid conduit beingengaged into the pressurized projectile retainer; a second end of thefluid conduit being connected to the compressed gas vessel; thecompressed gas vessel being in fluid communication with the pressurizedprojectile retainer through the fluid conduit; the firearm bolt beingconcentrically positioned along a central axis of the cartridge chamber;and the firearm bolt being slidably engaged into the cartridge chamber.11. The pneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 10 furthercomprises: the second end being a quick-connect coupling.
 12. Thepneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 10 furthercomprises: a trigger; a firing assembly; the firing assembly beingpositioned within the firearm; and the trigger being mechanicallycoupled to the firearm bolt through the firing assembly.
 13. Thepneumatic firearm firing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein thepressurized projectile retainer is a collet.
 14. The pneumatic firearmfiring system as claimed in claim 10 further comprises: the compressedgas vessel being positioned external to the firearm.
 15. The pneumaticfirearm firing system as claimed in claim 9 further comprises: wherein afirearm bolt, a pressurized projectile retainer, and a projectile are ina primed configuration; the firearm bolt comprises a rigid collaredportion; the pressurized projectile retainer comprises a flexiblecollared portion and an annular ring; the projectile beingconcentrically and releasably engaged into the pressurized projectileretainer; a quantity of compressed gas being hermetically sealed withinthe fluid conduit in between the second end and the projectile; thepressurized projectile retainer being concentrically pressed around theprojectile, wherein the projectile is frictionally held in place withinthe pressurized projectile retainer; the flexible collared portion beingpositioned within the rigid collared portion; and the annular ring beingpositioned within the annular groove.
 16. The pneumatic firearm firingsystem as claimed in claim 9 further comprises: wherein a firearm bolt,a pressurized projectile retainer, and a projectile are in a firingconfiguration; the firearm bolt comprises a rigid collared portion; thepressurized projectile retainer comprises a flexible collared portionand an annular ring; the flexible collared portion being positionedadjacent to the rigid collared portion; and the annular ring beingpositioned adjacent to the annular groove.